Emergency oxygen supply device

ABSTRACT

A gas supply unit (such as for the supply of emergency oxygen) with such unit comprising a high-pressure gas cylinder having a gas release section that provides laminar flow through a capillary tubing section so as to obviate the need of moving parts in the gas flow regulation from the interior of the cylinder to a gas outlet nozzle. A preferred embodiment uses a pull pin, together with a movable rod and rupture disc means, that are all downstream from the capillary tubing as the actuator means to initiate flow from the high-pressure cylinder.

3/1933 Rowley..............

United States Patent @XBBX /922 7 226 3 22 17 3 2 1 2 2 m dl k a mnn e eb r. sd k od wfl MHSM 8 846 3456 9999 NH 4 4 4 073 67498 7 05565 0 3642223 V. n I m 0 c d B n C n U h M .T P um mm 99! uzn u k-J59" us. i t-0nuas on AF8JNU I de m N. e Wfie V pu -MS h AFPA 1. 11.1.1 2 253 7 2247 11.1.1.1

Primary E.raminer- Robert B. Reeves Des Plaines, lll.

Assislanl E.taminer- Francis J. Bartuska Attorneys-James R. Hoatson, Jr.and Philip T. Liggett [54] EMERGENCY OXYGEN SUPPLY DEVICE 3 Claims, 4Drawing Figs.

A gas supply unit (such as for the supply of n) with such unitcomprising a high-pressure gas cylinder having a gas release sectionthat provides laminar h a capillary tubing section so as to obviate them. y :M T y M o 6 cm a ,f T": m0 Se m m 08 A8 fln l U6MM4 H /74 2 b 4 732 8 3 3] m a, 3 mm 1| 7 I 3 9 m Tm 7 n" 3 a 1 "u m .5 u mu IF 1.1. 0 551.1

ving parts in the gas flow regulation from the intericylinder to a gasoutlet noz or of the zle. A preferred embodiment uses a pull pin,together with a movable rod and rupture disc means, that are alldownstream from the capillary tubing 138/42 as the actuator means toinitiate flow from the high-pressure 137/69 cylinder.

1 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,455,298 11/1948Cahenzli, 1,874,356 8/1932 Rowley...........,............

EMERGENCY OXYGEN SUPPLY DEVICE The present invention relates to animproved form of supplemental gas supply unit and more particularly to aunit which may be used as an emergency oxygen supply device for anindividual. For example, a supply kit of the present form might well beused to provide emergency oxygen to a passenger in an aircraft in theevent of the loss of normal cabin pressure.

There are, of course, many forms of emergency oxygen supply kits whichare in general use. Certain of the gas supply systems utilizehigh-pressure oxygen storage cylinders in order to minimize the size ofthe storage cylinder or other container, in the system; however, inconnection with the high-pressure systems it is necessary to havespecial pressure release means from the cylinder to bring the gaspressure down to substantially atmospheric pressure at the users mask.Many types of valves and other types of pressure release systems havebeen device for emergency oxygen systems, but, generally, such releasesystems have utilized complex arrangements of movable adjustmentmembers, or flow control means, in addition to movable actuator means.Where a number of movable members are involved, or where fineadjustments are required in connection with moving parts, there isalways concern as to the 100 percent operability or efficiency of thesystem, and particularly a concern with respect to emergency units whichmay be stored for long periods of time.

In this instance, it is an object of the present invention'to providefor a gas release from high pressure to low pressure without anyrecompression in the storage container and through a release sectionwhich requires no movable operating parts, other than for initialactuating means.

It is a further object 'of the overall emergency gas storage and releasesystem to incorporate capillary tubing with laminar gas flowtherethrough as a part of the normal gas release means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety release means foran overpressure gas outlet arrangement. Still other objects andadvantages in the present gas storage release system will be noted inconnection with subsequent descriptive aspects set forth hereinafter.

Broadly, the present invention provides a gas supply unit for emergencyuse, which comprises in combination, a high-pressure cylinder, a gasrelease section connected to and extend ing into said cylinder, withsuch release section providing at least in part a laminar flowpassageway portion through the interior thereof to reduce gas pressureto a gas outlet nozzle on the exterior of such section, said gas releasesection further having a gas inlet portion, an open-ended and extendedlength capillary tubing from the latter as said laminar flow passagewayportion and extending from the inlet portion of the release section to alarger gas passageway portion, the latter in turn communicating with thegas outlet nozzle, movable flow-blocking means within said larger gaspassageway portion, and external actuating means connective to saidmovable flow-blocking means whereby gas flow can be initiated from theinterior of the high-pressure cylinder to said gas outlet nozzle for usetherefrom.

The utilization of a capillary tubing arrangement in order to effect apressure reduction from the interior of the cylinder to the outletnozzle of the unit, is of particular advantage in eliminating movingparts from the gas release system. It is of course, not intended tolimit the present device to any one pressure level although, in order toprovide a small-sized container or cylinder which will have gas supplyof the order of at least about to minutes, there may be pressures of theorder of 3,000 to 5,000 p.s.i.g. or higher. ln the present design, thesize of the capillary tubing in the outlet passageway, in a manner toprovide laminar flow for the high-pressure gas release from the interiorof the cylinder, will also be varied to suit the particular pressureconditions to be used in the gas supply unit.

The term laminar", as used herein, means a viscous flow or a streamlineflow (which in turn is defined as having a line which lies in thedirection of flow at every point at a given instant) where .thestreamlines within the flow remain distinct from one another over theirentire length. As found in the present system, the use of capillarytubing to provide laminar flow, eliminates the need foradjustable valvesor other moving parts in effecting the controlled gas release from thecontainer, except to the extent necessary to have actuating meansprovide for the initiation of gas flow from the interior of the cylinderto an outlet nozzle.

Various types of actuating means may be provided within the scope of thepresent invention; however, in a generally preferred design there willbe utilized a simple pull pin arrangement to effect the actuation offlow from the interior of the gas container. it is also a feature of apreferred arrangement to utilize rupture disc means in the gas releasesystem in order to have tight gas seals in the unit which are resistantto leakage over long storage periods. In one embodiment, the gas flowpassageway downstream from the capillary tubing section will have arupture disc to provide gas flow blockage, while a movable backup plugor rod member is used in combination with the rupture disc, so that thelatter will remain unbroken and block the gas passageway. The actuationis such that upon the release of a pull pin and a resulting longitudinalmovement of the rod member away from the rupture disc, the latter willbe permitted to be broken by the outward gas pressure. A continuing gasflow is then accomplished around the backup" rod member to an outletnozzle, until the pressure from the container is entirely released asflow through the capillary tubmg.

As an additional feature, the gas supply unit may have a seal meanspositioned over the zone of the actuating means, in line with the gaspassageway, such that where it is observed that there is a broken sealthen it will be known that there has been movement of the backup rodarrangement and as escape of gas through the rupture disc. Conversely,an unbroken seal will quickly show that there has been no movement ofthe actuating mechanism and no escape of gas through the rupture discand into the outlet passageway.

As still another safety feature, the preferred embodiment of theemergency gas supply device will have an overpressure burst disc in turnblocking a special overpressure emergency outlet passageway system.Thus, where there is a rupture of the burst disc from excessive pressureconditions within the cylinder, there can be an escape of thehigh-pressure gas from the storage cylinder into the overpressure outletsystem and a nonharmful dissipation of the pressure. The preferredoverpressure gas escape system is designed to use vents which arediametrically opposed so as to in turn avoid any thrust or torque on theunit. Again, preferably, thin seals are placed over the external outletsor vents for the overpressure escape system so that one may readilyobserve as to whether or not the unit has maintained its pressure withinthe storage container.

In still another aspect, a preferred embodiment utilizes a filter meansupstream and ahead of the capillary tubing interior opening so as topreclude any small particles entering into the capillary tubing andeffecting a blocking of the controlled gas flow. The filter means ispreferably of a frit nature such as of sintered stainless steel.

Reference to the accompanying drawing and the following descriptionthereof will serve to show the design and construction of one embodimentof the present improved emergency gas supply unit as well as point outadditional advantageous features incorporated in the gas release systemfrom the highpressure container.

DESCRlPTlON OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 of the drawing is an elevationalview, partially in section, showing the gas outlet means from theinterior of the high-pressure cylinder, including the location of therespective rupture and burst disc means.

FIG. 2 of the drawing is a diagrammatic plan view of the top of therelease section of the emergency gas supply device. indicating a pullpin for holding a hinged cap member in place.

FIG. 3 indicates, in a side sectional view and as shown by line 3-3 inFIG. 2, the use of the pull pin to effect the holding of the actuatingmechanism for releasing gas from the supply unit.

FIG. 4 indicates diagrammatically, in a modified plan view, the use ofseal members over the upper extremities of gas outlet ports in order toprovide a visual inspection as to whether there has been loss ofpressure from the supply device.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, there isshown a high-pressure storage cylinder or container 1 having a threadedend portion 2 in turn adapted to ac commodate a large threaded plug formof release section 3 which contains a controlled gas release passagewayand an emergency overpressure" gas release passageway system. For acontrolled gas release arrangement, there is provided an internallyprojecting support tube 4 for accommodating a coil of capillary tubing 5which in turn has an inlet end 6 terminating within a filter supportring 7 and downstream from a transverse filter member 8. The oppositedownstream end, or outlet end 9, of the capillary tubing 5 terminateswithin an outlet passageway zone having a transverse rupture disc 1].The high-pressure oxygen, or other gas, in container 1 may thus flowthrough the filter member 8 and capillary tubing 5 to the outletpassageway 10 where it is stopped by rupture disc 11.

Various types of actuating means may be provided in combination withrupture disc means in order to effect a release of gas pressure from acylinder; however, in accordance with the embodiment of the presentinvention, there is utilized a thin readily breakable disc member 11 incombination with a backing-up" plug or rod member 12 which is slidablymovable within the passageway 10. Thus, upon the rupture of the disc 11there may be a gas flow around rod 12 into passageway 13 and thence intooutlet nozzle 14. The latter may in turn connect with tubing or directlyto a suitable nose mouth mask or to a full face mask means. Although thepresent gas supply device is particularly useful for emergency oxygen,it is not intended to use any one type of mask and, as a result, the gasoutlet mask is not shown in the present drawing.

In order to provide for rupture of disc member 11 in this instance,there is permitted the longitudinal outward movement of backup rodmember 12 away from the supporting of the surface of disc 11 whereby itmay be deformed and broken by the gas pressure exerted from the outlet 9of capillary tubing 5. Conversely, to preclude the breakage of rupturedisc 11, the upper portion 15 for rod member 12 extends to a zoneadjacent the top of the large threaded plug member 3 and is held inplace by a hinged cap member 16. The latter is in turn held by a pullpin means 20.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a recessed portion withinthe top of the plug section 3 to accommodate the upper movable capsection 16 which in turn provides for holding the backup rod 12. The cap16 is hinged at one end with a cylindrical bearing portion 17 around apin means 18, while at the opposite end there is provided a downwardlyprojecting portion 19 having a hole therethrough to accommodate thepassageway ofa pull pin 20. Also, as best shown in FIG. 2, there is theindication that the end of the pin member 20 passes through a portion ofthe hexagon head of section 3, as shown at 21, as well as pass through ahole in portion 19, to come to rest in a socket or recessed portion 22of the upper portion of plug member 3. Thus, to make the unitoperational, it will be seen that upon the removal of the pull pin 20there will be a release of cover section 16, to permit an upwardpressure against rupture disc 11 in passageway 10, a breakage of disc 11and an outward movement of rod member 12 to permit gas flow through thepassageway 10 to outlet nozzle 14. It will also be noted in connectionwith FIG. 1 of the drawing, that within a recessed portion of therelease section 3 and around the top of end portion 15 of the elongatedrod member 12 that there is an O-ring seal member 23 which in turn isheld in place by a threaded plug member 24. As a result there issubstantially no escape of gas from the upper portion of passageway 10and around the upper rod portion 15.

It may be noted that various construction methods may be provided tohold the rupture disc means such as 11 across the passageway 10, as wellas varying means to effect the rupture of such disc In the presentembodiment, as best shown in FIG. 1, it will be noted that the disc 11is held between an upper portion of support tube 4 and below a separateinternal ring section 25, each of which surround the lower longitudinalportion of rod member 12 and define the lower portion of passageway 10.This arrangement provides for the easy replaceability of rupture discmember 11 within the entire removable release section 3. Also, while thepresent arrange ment provides for the rupture of a thin easily brokendisc 11 by the removal of a backup-type support member 12, there may beactuating means which would, in effect, reverse the direction ofmovement of the rod member so that it could push downwardly, orinwardly, toward the interior of the cylinder and effect a puncturing ofan adjacent rupture member whereby to initiate gas flow from theinterior of the cylinder.

Referring still further to FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will be seen thatthere is another rupture disc used in the system, and more particularly,the burst disc 26 which is positioned across the lower face portion of adisc-holding bushing 27. The latter, in turn, encompasses the interiorportion of a passageway 28 which is shown extending to a gas outletorifice 29 adjacent the top surface of the plug member 3. Thus, in theevent of an overpressuring of the gas container 1 there will be arupture of disc 26 and gas flow inwardly from the interior of thecylinder to an escape orifice, such as 29. On the other hand, in apreferred embodiment of the improved gas release system, there will be atransverse gas passageway 30 communicating with the large passageway 28such that a major portion of the gas release from an overpressuresituation will be upwardly into gas passageway 28 and then split intothe passageway 30 which will extend transversely across the plug member3 from one side to another. The advantage of the transverse passageway30, which has two diametrically opposed outlets therefrom, is theprovision of a fast release of pressure from the cylinder withoutcausing torque or twist on the entire device.

In FIG. 4 of the drawing, there are indicated the use of various thinseal members across the top and side portions of the plug member 3. Inother words, there is indicated diagrammatically the use of a singleseal member 31 extending across the top of plug member 3 in a manner toseal over the outlet orifice 29 as well as over the top of the movableand hinged cap section 16, which in turn covers the upper end portion ofthe vertical passageway 10. Thus, any breakage or loosening of the seal31 in the zone of the orifice 29 would indicate that there has beenrelease of pressure by way of passageway 28 and a breakage or leakage inburst disc 26. On the other hand, any loosening of the seal member 31over the movable cap portion 16 would indicate that there had been alifting of the hinged cap member 16 or a leakage through passageway 10and around the cap member 16 to, in turn, show a rupture in the disc 11.There are also shown diagrammatically the use of thin seal members 32across the open diametrically opposed ends to passageway 30 within theupper gas release section 3. Thus, the loosening of either or both ofthe seal members 32 will show that there has been a release of gas fromthe storage cylinder into the overpressure outlet passageways 28 and 30by reason of breakage of the burst disc 26.

Various methods may be utilized to provide gas introduction into thepressure cylinder 1; however, as indicated diagrammatically in FIGS. 2,3 and 4 there is shown a separate gas inlet passageway longitudinallythrough the entire plug section 3 at opening 33 and a subsequent fillingof such opening with plugging materials 34. Generally, the material 34may be solder or other suitable type potting compound capable ofattachment to the walls of the passageway 33.

It may also be noted that various materials may be utilized in theconstruction of the entire unit, with thicknesses being provided tofurnish ample strength for the particular pressure conditions to beencountered. Generally, the various parts of the gas release unit may bemade of stainless steel in order to preclude corrosion problems and toinsure ample strength in the system for accommodating pressures withincylinder 1 of the order of 3,000 p.s.i.g. or more. On the other hand,the cylinder or storage container portion of the unit may be made oflightweight aluminum in order to provide a reduction of weight to theentire device. The aluminum wall thickness is, of course, sufficient toprovide ample resistance to bursting for the pressure conditions to beinvolved. The rupture disc 11, as well as the burst disc 26, preferablyshall be made of thin stainless steel for a unit which is to be storedover a long period of time, although where a disc is to be easilybroken, then it may be made of copper or of a nonsparking berryliumcopper. With regard to the thin seal members, such as 31 and 32, theymay be made of a thin type material, in the nature of a label, which maybe bonded to the upper threaded plug member 3, and which, in turn, mayhave thin pieces of aluminum bonded thereto at the zone of the actualopenings which are covered.

' The seals may be partially scored to permit them to hang open or tearunder exertion of the venting pressure,.whereby a ruptured label or sealwill readily indicate that there has been a ruptured or burst discwithin the interior of the unit and that such unit should not beretained in service without having its disc members replaced and theunit repressured.

Where noncontaminated clean gas is available for filling each of thecontainers of the present type of device, there may be an elimination ofthe filtering member 8 from each of the units; however, in any devicewhere there is a chance of material blocking the extended length of thecapillary tubing 5, it is generally of advantage to have a fine frit orfilter type disc member such as 8 placed upstream from the capillarytubing opening at 6. The filter member may be of varying materials but,again, a preferred embodiment will generally utilize a sinteredstainless steel material of the order of 35 to 40 micron size so as topreclude the passage of contaminating particles entering the capillarytubing section.

Various methods may also be used to position and hold the capillarytubing section 5 into place within the lower interior portion of theplug section 3; although, as best shown in FIG. 1, the presentembodiment has the capillary tubing 5 coiled around the support member 4and the inlet end 6 extending through a soldered connection at the zoneS. Also, at the downstream end of the tubing at 9, there is additionalsolder S placed around the upper portion of support tube 4 and in theinterior thereof such that there is no chance of any leakage around thecapillary tubing into passageway 10. It may also be pointed out thatmodifications in design and construction as to detailed methods ofhandling or positioning of particular passageways or other portions ofthe release system may be carried out without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An oxygen supply unit for emergency use, which comprises incombination, a high-pressure cylinder, a gas release section connectedto and extending into said cylinder, with such release section providingat least in part a laminar flow passageway portion through the interiorthereof to reduce gas pressure to a gas outlet nozzle on the interior ofsuch section, said gas release section further having a gas inletportion, an open-ended and extended length capillary tubing extendingfrom the latter as said laminar flow passageway portion extending fromthe inlet portion of the release section to a larger gas passagewayportion, the latter in turn communicating with said gas outlet nozzle,movable flow-blocking means within said larger gas passageway portion,said movable flowblocking means comprising a transverse rupture disc anda longitudinally movable flow-blocking member adapted for movement awayfrom said disc to permit rupture thereof and gas flow to said gas outletnozzle, said blocking member being held in place against said disc by ahinged cap member over said rupture disc and a movable pull pin meanspositioned through a portion of the end of said cap member as a releasemeans therefor, and external actuating means connective to said movableflow-blocking means whereby gas flow can be initiated from the interiorof the high-pressure cylinder to said gas outlet nozzle for usetherefrom, a support tube, said support tube extending below said largergas passageway portion, said laminar flow passageway comprising acapillary tubing of extended length wound about said support tube, saidextended length being of sufficient dimension, and the internal diameterof said capillary tubing being sufficiently small, to thereby restrictany flow except controlled, normal, oxygen release flow at a rate toprovide at least 10 minutes oxygen supply, means to indicate leakage insaid unit from breakage of said rupture disc, said last-named meanscomprising a thin seal member over said movable cap member and above thetop of the gas passageway and communicating with said outlet nozzle andaccommodating said flow-blocking member, said gas release section havingan overpressure gas passageway therethrough extending through the gasrelease section to the interior of said cylinder and including anoverpressure burst disc across the interior portion thereof to precludeleakage therefrom except for such pressures as may be excessive for saidunit.

2. The oxygen supply unit of claim 1 still further characterized in thatsaid overpressure gas passageway includes as a portion thereof atransverse gas passageway section extending transversely across said gasrelease section to provide two diametrically opposed outlets therefrom,whereby any torque effect on the unit will be precluded in the event ofa breakage of said burst disc.

3. The oxygen supply unit of claim 2 still further characterized in thateach of the diametrically opposed gas outlet passageways have thin sealmembers thereover, whereby to provide an indication of breakage of theburst disc within the interior of said unit.

* I? l 0 i

1. An oxygen supply unit for emergency use, which comprises incombination, a high-pressure cylinder, a gas release section connectedto and extending into said cylinder, with such release section providingat least in part a laminar flow passageway portion through the interiorthereof to reduce gas pressure to a gas outlet nozzle on the interior ofsuch section, said gas release section further having a gas inletportion, an open-ended and extended length capillary tubing extendingfrom the latter as said laminar flow passageway portion extending fromthe inlet portion of the release section to a larger gas passagewayportion, the latter in turn communicating with said gas outlet nozzle,movable flow-blocking means within said larger gas passageway portion,said movable flow-blocking means comprising a transverse rupture discand a longitudinally movable flowblocking member adapted for movementaway from said disc to permit rupture thereof and gas flow to said gasoutlet nozzle, said blocking member being held in place against saiddisc by a hinged cap member over said rupture disc and a movable pullpin means positioned through a portion of the end of said cap member asa release means therefor, and external actuating means connective tosaid movable flow-blocking means whereby gas flow can be initiated fromthe interior of the high-pressure cylinder to said gas outlet nozzle foruse therefrom, a support tube, said support tube extending below saidlarger gas passageway portion, said laminar flow passageway comprising acapillary tubing of extended length wound about said support tube, saidextended length being of sufficient dimension, and the internal diameterof said capillary tubing being sufficiently small, to thereby restrictany flow except controlled, normal, oxygen release flow at a rate toprovide at least 10 minutes oxygen supply, means to indicate leakage insaid unit from breakage of said rupture disc, said last-named meanscomprising a thin seal member over said movable cap member and above thetop of the gas passageway and communicating with said outlet nozzle andaccommodating said flow-blocking member, said gas release section havingan overpressure gas passageway therethrough extending through the gasrelease section to the interior of said cylinder and including anoverpressure burst disc across the interior portion thereof to precludeleakage therefrom except for such pressures as may be excessive for saidunit.
 2. The oxygen supply unit of claim 1 still further characterizedIn that said overpressure gas passageway includes as a portion thereof atransverse gas passageway section extending transversely across said gasrelease section to provide two diametrically opposed outlets therefrom,whereby any torque effect on the unit will be precluded in the event ofa breakage of said burst disc.
 3. The oxygen supply unit of claim 2still further characterized in that each of the diametrically opposedgas outlet passageways have thin seal members thereover, whereby toprovide an indication of breakage of the burst disc within the interiorof said unit.